Everyone has a favorite Christmas movie, and every year, new ones come out, giving us all more choices. Despite how great these modern-day films can be, though, there are some classics out there, from back in the day, that seem to be better than the rest… that just can’t be beat… and that need to be watched annually.
Since it is getting to be the most wonderful time of the year, we have put together a list of 10 old Christmas movies. Some are super popular, a couple are a bit obscure, and all of them are definitely worth watching.
Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn is an award-winning film from 1942. It stars Bing Crosby as Jim Hardy, who leaves a musical act in New York City to open up an entertainment venue on a farm called Holiday Inn. With each holiday comes a new holiday-themed show, and Irving Berlin wrote 12 songs for it all, including White Christmas.
The singing, the dancing, the love story, the concept of a quaint farm that puts on acts centered around celebrations… This is certainly one to watch and love!
Nestor, The Long–Eared Christmas Donkey
There are, of course, stop-motion specials to consider during this time of the year, too.
The most popular is the story of Rudolph, a reindeer who is teased for his nose, and a similar story is Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey. It came out on TV in 1977, and it is about a donkey who is made fun of, due to his long ears. Just as Rudolph’s nose became the saving grace on Christmas, though, Nestor, too, sees justice, as he finds his destiny on the way to Bethlehem.
Christmas In Connecticut
Another black-and-white classic is Christmas in Connecticut from 1945. Barbara Stanwyck played Elizabeth Lane in this film about a magazine writer who wrote about living on a farm and cooking fancy meals and such… But that was far from the truth.
However, she had to pretend to really have that life, in order to host some special guests during the holiday season. It is funny, it is a love story, it has a dilemma that everyone must watch to see if it gets solved, and it is another older one to watch.
The Magic Christmas Tree
A more obscure suggestion would be The Magic Christmas Tree, which was released back in 1964. It is a fantasy-adventure flick, as it is about a boy, magic ring and a Christmas tree coming to life and granting wishes.
Sounds quite interesting, right? This work was done in black and white, but the exciting dream scenes are done in color! So if everyone has already seen all of the most popular Christmas movies, then feel free to give this one a try now.
The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t
On a similar note, there is The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t; this is actually an American-Italian film from 1966, and it is all about Santa getting a job so he can pay his overdue rent bill! It may not be the most well-known movie out there, but it is an entertaining story from back in the day that viewers of all ages will enjoy watching.
Miracle On 34th Street
Speaking of popular classic films… Miracle on 34th Street, from 1947, starred Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood, in order to tell all about a department store Santa Claus who said he was the real Santa Claus.
This won awards, was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and was preserved by The Academy Film Archive. It was also remade in the ‘90s, but the original version of this movie is just so super special.
Babes In Toyland
Babes in Toyland was first an operetta from 1903, and over the years, there have been several adaptations and retellings of it.
The one on this list, though, is the musical movie from 1961. It starred Ray Bolger, Tommy Sands, Annette Funicello, Ed Wynn and Tommy Kirk. It was from the wonderful and magical world of Disney. And it was in Technicolor! A really great Christmas movie is one that is full of wonder and excitement, and this one certainly delivers on that and so much more.
White Christmas
Another Technicolor film is White Christmas. This has been around since 1954. This stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. This has Irving Berlin songs and musical numbers, such as White Christmas, The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing, Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep, Sisters, Snow and Gee, I Wish I Was Back in the Army.
And this is a classic that generations have been falling love with for years, so make sure to add it to that must-watch or must-rewatch list!
The First Christmas: The Story Of The First Christmas Snow
The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow is a bittersweet tale from 1975. It was another stop-motion TV special, and it was narrated by Angela Lansbury. In the story, a shepherd becomes blind and then it taken in by a group of nuns.
During a Christmas pageant, the first Christmas snow of the season comes, and a miracle happens. Once again, this may not be the most known Christmas movie of all time, but it is one that certainly belongs on this list.
It’s A Wonderful Life
Speaking of popular and known and beloved… It’s a Wonderful Life is the final suggestion here today. This movie came out in 1946, and it is based on a short story and booklet. It stars James Stewart as George Bailey, and it teaches an important lesson; George is shown how different life would be if he had not been born, and this reminds viewers to be grateful for what they have and to not take life for granted.
All these years later, It’s a Wonderful Life is a staple, is said to be one of the greatest movies of all time and is one of the most inspirational tales to enjoy at Christmas and/or at any time.
